Ben Hellerstein
Former State Director, Environment Massachusetts
House climate bill is like bringing a toy squirt gun to a five-alarm fire
Media Contacts
Environment Massachusetts
Boston – The House Ways & Means Committee advanced a climate bill today that falls far short of transitioning Massachusetts to 100% renewable energy, a goal endorsed by a majority of House members.
Ben Hellerstein, State Director for Environment Massachusetts, issued the following statement:
“A climate scientist recently said that we’re risking a planet-wide ‘five-alarm fire’ with global warming. Now’s the time to show up with a fire hose. Instead, the House is bringing a toy squirt gun.
“With its weak ‘net zero emissions’ target, this bill would allow the use of dirty, polluting oil and gas for decades. At a time when we must move swiftly to end the use of fossil fuels, this bill postpones action in favor of studies and ‘roadmaps,’ requiring nothing to be done for three years.
“While the bill takes some positive steps to expand solar energy, it falls far short of what’s needed to protect our health and help ensure a safe future. We should commit to achieve 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035 and 100 percent renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2045, as embodied in the 100% Renewable Energy Act filed by Reps. Marjorie Decker and Sean Garballey.”
A majority of legislators in both the House and Senate have endorsed the goals set out in the Decker/Garballey 100% Renewable Energy Act (H.2836), along with more than 50 environmental and civic organizations, 150 city and town officials, youth activists, and dozens of health professionals, clean energy industry leaders, and faith leaders.
So far, 13 states and territories have passed laws or issued executive orders to establish 100% renewable or 100% carbon-free electricity targets.
